KEEPING THEM QUIET.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 452, 20 August 1879, Page 2

KEEPING THEM QUIET.

The Wellington correspondent of the Canterbury Times writes as follows :—■ Ido not suppose it will be regarded by the Hou the Native Minister, or by anyone who may read this, a breach of the sacredness of private hospitality, if I mention that at his table the other day I’ met one of the most remarkable Maori chiefs that ever lived—l mean Major Ropata, or to give him his fu 1 Native designation, Te Ropata Whahawhaha, signifying ‘the of carrier burthens.’ This name was bestowed upon him by another t'dbe which in his young days had taken him prisoner, and made him carry their kits and baggage on his shoulders. He is now 68 years of age, but does not look more than 56, and a half, Inning, and powerful man at that. Mr Gudgeon, in his book entitled “ Reminis-

cences of the War in New Zealand,” gives a very full account of Ropata’s services to the Government during the last war with To Kooti, which services, it will be remembered, were rewarded by Her Majesty by the presentation of as word of honor. As, however, one of the principal incidents characteristic of the man is not quite correctly narrated by Mr Gudgeon, I may' briefly narrate it here as told me the other day in the presence of the chief actor In the bloddy drama. It was after the taking of Ngatapa, that Ropata, byColomd Whitmore’s orders, followed-the enemy, and, coming np with them, captured the celebrated Hauhau chief, Mikora Te Whakaunna, and 120 of his men. These' were, while being guarded, somewhat turbulent, and .Ropata was asked to go’ outside (from the tent) and quiet them. A few seconds afterwards shots were heard, and on Major Biggs rushing out he found Ropata armed with seven revolvers and diligently employed blowing out the prisoners’ brains. When’ requested to desist he was much chagrined, saying : “ Ob, very well, yon are my superior officer, and I must obey orders ; but these (pointing to sixteen he had just killed) won’t make any more noise.” I had the pleasure the other day of looking across the mahogany towards this energetic executioner, and taking wine with him.